Major Events & Festivals in Jacksonville, United States

Jacksonville, United States, Jacksonville, Culture & Entertainment, Major Events & Festivals

Major Events & Festivals in Jacksonville, United States

1. Jax529

Annual music festival featuring various genres like rock, hip-hop, and electronic. Held downtown Jacksonville.
  • Diverse Lineup: Offers a mix of local, regional, and national artists
  • Community Gathering: Brings together thousands of music enthusiasts for a weekend of fun
  • Charitable Focus: Proceeds benefit local charities in Jacksonville

2. Jacksonville Jazz Festival

Largest free jazz festival in the U.S., showcasing a wide variety of jazz artists.
  • Free Admission: Offers three days of live performances without any cost
  • Talented Artists: Attracts renowned jazz musicians and rising stars alike
  • Educational Workshops: Includes workshops for aspiring musicians to learn from professionals

3. Bessie Fest

Celebration of blues music held in Springfield. Honors local blues legend Bessie Jackson.
  • Local Legacy: Honors the memory and legacy of a local blues musician
  • Blues Performances: Offers live performances by both local and national blues artists
  • Community Involvement: Involves local businesses, schools, and organizations in the celebration

4. Streamboat Festival

Annual festival celebrating Jacksonville's history as a river port city.
  • Historical Context: Highlights the rich river port history of Jacksonville
  • Family-friendly: Offers activities for all ages, including boat rides and live music
  • Local Artisans: Showcases local artists and craftsmen

5. Bold City Beer Fest

Annual beer festival featuring over 300 beers from various breweries.
  • Wide Variety: Offers a vast selection of beer styles to sample
  • Local Breweries: Features breweries from Jacksonville and the surrounding region
  • Charitable Contributions: Proceeds benefit local charities in Jacksonville

6. PorchFest Jax

Annual music festival where musicians perform on the porches of houses in Springfield.
  • Unique Venue: Uses residential properties as stages for live performances
  • Neighborhood Celebration: Brings the community together in a unique and intimate setting
  • Variety of Music: Features various genres of music, from blues to rock

7. Jacksonville Sea & Sky Spectacular

Annual fireworks and airshow event over the St. Johns River.
  • Waterfront Display: Displays fireworks and aerobatics over the St. Johns River
  • Military Tribute: Honors military personnel and their service with special tributes
  • Family-friendly: Offers activities for all ages, including live music and food vendors

8. ArtWalk Jax

Monthly event showcasing local artists and their work in downtown Jacksonville.
  • Local Artists: Features the works of local artists in a variety of mediums
  • Community Involvement: Encourages public participation and engagement with the art
  • Cultural Exchange: Provides an opportunity for cultural exchange and dialogue

9. Jacksonville Greek Festival

Annual celebration of Greek culture featuring food, music, dance, and art.
  • Cultural Immersion: Offers a chance to immerse oneself in Greek culture
  • Authentic Food: Serves traditional Greek dishes, including moussaka and gyro
  • Dance Performances: Features live performances of Greek dance styles like the Zorba and Sirtaki

10. Festival of Nations

Annual celebration of cultural diversity in Jacksonville featuring food, music, dance, and art.
  • Cultural Exchange: Provides an opportunity for cultural exchange and dialogue
  • Authentic Food: Offers food from various countries, including Brazil, India, and China
  • Dance Performances: Features live performances of traditional dance styles from around the world

11. Jacksonville Pride Festival

Annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community featuring music, speakers, and vendors.
  • Community Support: Brings together members of the LGBTQ+ community for a day of celebration
  • Speaker Series: Offers talks and discussions on topics relevant to the LGBTQ+ community
  • Family-friendly: Includes activities for children, such as a Kids Zone

12. One Spark

Annual crowdfunding festival for artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs.
  • Crowdfunding Opportunities: Allows creatives to pitch their ideas to potential investors
  • Community Engagement: Encourages the public to engage with and support creative projects
  • Diverse Projects: Showcases a wide variety of artistic, technological, and entrepreneurial projects

13. Jaxsurf Film Festival

Annual film festival showcasing surfing films and documentaries.
  • Surfing Culture: Celebrates the culture and lifestyle of surfing
  • Film Screenings: Offers screenings of both short and feature-length films
  • Guest Speakers: Features guest speakers who are prominent figures in the surfing world

14. Jacksonville Ice & Music Festival

Annual ice sculpture festival and concert series held at the St. Johns Town Center.
  • Ice Sculptures: Features stunning, large-scale ice sculptures
  • Concert Series: Offers performances by popular music artists
  • Family-friendly: Includes activities for all ages, such as ice skating and craft workshops

15. Jacksonville River Run

Annual half-marathon and marathon race along the St. Johns River.
  • Scenic Route: Offers a scenic route along the St. Johns River
  • Competitive Race: Attracts professional and amateur runners from around the world
  • Charitable Contributions: Proceeds benefit local charities in Jacksonville